National is pinning 2020 success on someone who is not in Parliament

Written By: - Date published: 10:24 am, June 22nd, 2019 - 135 comments
Categories: capitalism, Judith Collins, Media, national, same old national, Simon Bridges, social media lolz, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags:

 

This advertisement appeared in the Herald this morning.  It clearly displays the desperation being felt within the National Party.

The proposition advanced by this rather expensive ad is that Chris Luxon will lead National to victory in 2020.

There are some problems with this:

  • Chris is not an MP and barring a by election in a seat, say Botany, will not be an MP until after the next election at the earliest.
  • He is completely untested.  Running an airline with, thanks to the last Labour Government, majority Government shareholding is one thing.  Running a country is another.
  • The thought that he will be another Key is fanciful.  Key was a media construct who at the end of his term had little to show for his term.  When your biggest disappointment is that you did not change the flag then you know you wasted your term.

With typical Tory arrogance elements within National think that they can parachute in someone with a business CV, spend money on creating a media persona, and then win.

It is a sign that elements within the party accept that Bridges is not up to the task.  And they would rather pump for a completely tested outsider than trust Judith with the job.

Update:

The National Party has denied formal involvement in the placement of the advertisement.

135 comments on “National is pinning 2020 success on someone who is not in Parliament ”

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  1. JustMe 1
    22 June 2019 at 10:28 am

    All this indicates that Simon Bridges days of being leader of the Opposition is nearing an end. And all this despite Bridges claiming to be the leader of National at the next election.

    Sounds like some in National are contradicting each other.

  2. Maria Sherwood 2
    22 June 2019 at 10:28 am

    Is the ad authorised by National? If not The Herald and Brooks can be in trouble, from what I have read. It can also been seen as electioneering.

    Trying to confuse people to vote for National in 2020?

    • higherstandard 2.1
      22 June 2019 at 10:55 am

      If this is authorised by someone in National they are a larger bunch of numpties than previously thought.

  3. Sacha 3
    22 June 2019 at 10:30 am

    Seems Mr Hisco is also available..

  4. Sacha 4
    22 June 2019 at 10:33 am

    … barring a by-election in a seat, say Botany, will not be an MP until after the next election at the earliest."

    Parties have more than once persuaded List MPs to step down early and shuffled newcomers up the List to replace them.

    • Wayne 4.1
      22 June 2019 at 10:40 am

      Sacha,

      You can't add someone new on the list between elections.

      Luxon either has to stand for an electorate seat, that is, go into an selection, or go onto the 2020 list. Presuambly he would be a special board appointment as happened with Brash and Groser.

      Audrey Young has a realistic take on all of this in today's Herald.

      • lprent 4.1.1
        22 June 2019 at 10:52 am

        My god! Some pages worth reading in the Herald this morning in the Opinion page. I can see about 4 pages that look like they may be worth reading. Still not enough to be worth paying $200pa for. That is more than the quarter for The Economist!

        There is a pretty obvious paid PR presence floating in behind Luxton – presumably some political muscle as well.

        Its going to be interesting seeing where this goes and how much strife it causes in the National caucus getting there.

      • Sacha 4.1.2
        22 June 2019 at 11:37 am

        Thanks for clarifying that detail.

  5. marty mars 5
    22 June 2019 at 10:56 am

    I bet paula and judith are pretty gutted by this… so close yet so far. Not fair really.

    • ankerawshark 5.1
      22 June 2019 at 11:44 am

      Maybe Paula and Jude will leak something on Luxton . One of the Nats favoured ways of harming an opponent.

      Re the add,,,,,,,,,,,,I could have sworn it was an add for hair loss………….

    • Sacha 5.2
      22 June 2019 at 11:46 am

      They will not fear a renegade faction who needs to resort to newspaper ads to reach other party members. More signs of internal friction though.

  6. higherstandard 6
    22 June 2019 at 10:56 am

    'Some pages worth reading in the Herald this morning in the Opinion page. '

    You're a braver man than me.

  7. observer 7
    22 June 2019 at 10:58 am

    I remember being told years ago, by an old political pro: there are many more former future PMs than actual ones.

    Luxon seems to think the media are more important than his future colleagues in caucus. He'll be learning the hard way.

  9. Siobhan 9
    22 June 2019 at 11:11 am

    Its like an advert for the worst super hero TV show ever, about some smug middle aged white guy who when tickled and offered a tax cut, transforms into "The Incredible Middle Aged White Guy"…though, arguably, in this case he would appear to be transforming down a notch..

  10. Fireblade 10
    22 June 2019 at 11:16 am

    National claims large ad promoting Christopher Luxon in the party 'nothing to do with us'.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/national-claims-large-ad-promoting-christopher-luxon-in-party-nothing-do-us

    • Sacha 10.1
      22 June 2019 at 11:42 am

      No surprise that the faction pushing Luxon lacks official support from the current Nat backroom bosses.

    • bwaghorn 10.2
      22 June 2019 at 12:32 pm

      Seems like a nice bit of shit stirring being done by someone.

      Simple simon should start a whitch hunt to find them . Hell it might be labours doing!!!🤣🤣😎

      • Fireblade 10.2.1
        22 June 2019 at 1:21 pm

        Yep. Someone's having a laugh at the Nats comical leadership shenanigans.

        • observer 10.2.1.1
          22 June 2019 at 5:45 pm

          The "authorised by" statement on the ad tells us otherwise.

          You'd have to believe that his name and address were used by somebody else, trying to discredit him – and then ask what you/anyone would do if they were fraudulently impersonated like that.

          Only the most desperate of conspiracy theorists would conclude "a lefty dunnit". It's not the Nats. But it is a Nat. With a name. (And now in need of a lawyer).

    • Editractor 10.3
      22 June 2019 at 1:46 pm

      Is this a case of Luxon Luxoff then?

  11. CHCoff 11
    22 June 2019 at 12:26 pm

    The man who wasn't there, but it's not John Key 2.0 ?

    Those Herald subscribers have re-couped their value already me thinks.

  12. Muttonbird 12
    22 June 2019 at 1:31 pm

    Internecine warfare breaks out in the National Party. Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch!

  13. Editractor 13
    22 June 2019 at 1:45 pm

    That's creepy as hell. Who knew that Key and Luxon are played by the same person – Stephen Joyce.

  14. Ad 14
    22 June 2019 at 1:48 pm

    Mickey the only reason Labour leads this government is because Labour killed off Andrew Little and Jacinda Ardern (aww shucks …. me? Really? Ask me again … four times … who me?) stepped in and smiled.

    This move was so close to the election that they had to reprint the billboards.

    So if National supporters want to do a bit of speculation about someone fresh, I say good on them. They have plenty of time, and Labour have no reason to point the finger.

    • Dukeofurl 14.1
      22 June 2019 at 2:55 pm

      national reprinted its billboards too…. same face different message

      • Ad 14.1.1
        22 June 2019 at 3:06 pm

        National had their billboards printed in December 2016?

        • Dukeofurl 14.1.1.1
          22 June 2019 at 6:31 pm

          No , not Key.

          Joyce changed their campaign strategy when Ardern became labour leader

          • cleangreen 14.1.1.1.1
            23 June 2019 at 9:22 am

            Joyce and Key are working to pull every lever quietly behind the scene for sure.

            “hollow men”; – volume two.

    • Muttonbird 14.2
      22 June 2019 at 3:06 pm

      Bollocks. JA had been in Parliament for 9 years or are you claiming she was parachuted in too?

      Please stop apologising for the right wing, it makes you look like an idiot.

      • Ad 14.2.1
        22 June 2019 at 3:07 pm

        Ardern was an unremarkable MP, and Ardern was the one claiming she never wanted to be leader.

        • Muttonbird 14.2.1.1
          22 June 2019 at 3:27 pm

          A remarkable PM though, and pretty sure she didn't say never. Also, there's a hint of misogyny in your comment at 14. This doesn't surprise me as you appear to align with those other old Labour types who are mistrustful of women.

          But here I am arguing with you on one of your bad days.

          • Incognito 14.2.1.1.1
            22 June 2019 at 3:47 pm

            My misogyny sensor must be off; where’s the hint?

            When Key took on the top job and joked, smiled, and waved where there hints of misandry or simply the humble beginnings of KDS?

            • Drowsy M. Kram 14.2.1.1.1.1
              22 June 2019 at 4:20 pm

              "Labour killed off Andrew Little and Jacinda Ardern… stepped in and smiled."

              The choice of words does come across as a tad inflammatory to me.

              'Labour' replaced leader Andrew Little – Labour (and other political parties) have replaced leaders before, although it's more usual to do so after a loss, rather than immediately before a win.

              The implication of 'stepped in‘ (stepped up?), ‘smiled', and the rest is history, is clear – in Ad's (considered?) opinion, Ardern's most significant political asset is her smile. As Muttonbird stated, however, Ardern is more than 'just a smile'.

              Ad's comment isn't in-your-face misogyny, but it is belittling towards Ardern. That's unsurprising and disappointing, but “aww shucks“, it’s just Ad.

              • Incognito …
                22 June 2019 at 4:42 pm

                Ok, thank you for your response. However, inflammatory or belittling are not “in-your-face misogyny”, as you correctly state; they are not misogyny full stop.

                There’s no hint that Ad was criticising or attacking the PM because of her sex nor was he displaying a hint of hatred towards her sex. Unless there’s factual support for this assumption (i.e. the accusation of a hint of misogyny), it is conjecture and more likely projection.

                This is why I asked if there was hint of misandry when people made inflammatory comments about or tried to belittle him.

                For the record and FWIW, I don’t see things the same way as Ad does and I could argue against his points without invoking false labels. In other words, if people don’t agree with him, or don’t like him kicking the proverbial ‘holy cow’ then they should lift their game and put up a decent (counter-) argument.

                These short winter days seem to make people short-tempered. Maybe they should start taking vitamin D supplements.

                • Drowsy M. Kram …
                  22 June 2019 at 6:25 pm

                  Agreed, it's not misogyny at all, just wish more people could get over the idea that Ardern is PM because of her smile, and will remain PM because of her baby/wedding/whatever.

                  IMHO, comments such as Ad's have the potential to detract from the abilities/skills of high-achieving women. Negative reactions/attitudes towards women in positions of power remain powerful levers.

                  They may court it (on their own terms), but when was the last time a male PM had to put up with such nonsense?

                  "This baby is a political liability to Labour and the government." https://thestandard.org.nz/coming-up-babies/#comment-1494315

                  "No; that should be her official name
                  Three Point Bump Ardern-Gayford
                  And JuliaAnn’s would be named One Point Bump                  " https://thestandard.org.nz/its-a-girl/#comment-1496284

                  • Incognito …
                    23 June 2019 at 12:36 am

                    I agree that Ad could have worded it differently but maybe it was a deliberate provocation(s). The point is, for me, that many (all?) commenters here have sensitivities (bugbears) and triggers. When one makes a comment in good faith, with sarcasm, or to rattle a cage, for example, some commenters here choose to be detracted by their own thinking. I’d go as far as to say that the potential is almost always there waiting to be triggered. It doesn’t seem to occur to them that they may have misconstrued the comment and that they’re fact making assumptions and/or jumping to conclusions that might be wrong. Instead of asking for clarification or testing their assumptions, they go into attack mode and often target the ‘man’, not the ‘ball’. To give someone the benefit of doubt only works well when there is patience, trust, good faith, and mutual respect.

                    When Ad, for example, makes statements that don’t go down well with some here, they pull ridiculous accusations against him rather than deal with his points. I’m not here to defend Ad but he’s written hundreds of posts here and many more comments and yet people seem to accuse him of being some kind of RWNJ!? So, either Ad’s history here is incongruent with the ‘raison d'être’ of TS or the other commenters have the wrong end of the stick.

                    Just because we can read something into a comment or an uttering doesn’t mean it was intentional, not even at a sub-conscious level. Yet we often seem to project it back onto the sender as if this was exactly and absolutely the case without a shadow of doubt.

                    People get so defensive over certain things (or people). One is not allowed to say anything about ‘sacred cows’ that could be perceived as negative or criticism or risk being pulled over hot coals by an offended and/or angry ‘believer’. Often this turns into a mob piling on the [expletive of choice].

                    It is becoming frustrating and predictive; the pattern is so clear to see yet it keeps on happening as if nobody else is seeing it. Habit, ignore and deny, stubbornness, or something else altogether?

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      23 June 2019 at 1:55 am

                      The apparent intent of Ad’s comment @14, and his reply @14.2.1, upset me. I assumed the wording accurately conveyed Ad's assessment of events and Ardern, and didn't consider the possibilty that Ad (also?) intended the comments to be provocative. Not sure what purpose(s) might be served by any such provocation.

                      I reacted to the apparent intent of Ad's comments (my interpretation might have been wrong), and attempted, in my comments, to explain my concerns. Reviewing my comments, it's clear they could be considered provocative.

                      Do appreciate Ad's posts and comments, including those I disagree with – in future will restrict myself to reading only.

                    • Incognito []
                      23 June 2019 at 11:37 am

                      Although I replied to your comment, I was really hoping to reach an audience larger than one (i.e. you).

                      I call it as I see it and we all do that. What Ad’s true intentions were, I don’t know. It is a possibility that he was aiming to be provocative or maybe he phrased it badly.

                      Being provocative can be a useful tool in debate (rhetoric) but it needs to be used wisely IMHO because it can easily get out of control.

                      I do appreciate your considered comments here so please keep it up.

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      23 June 2019 at 3:07 pm

                      Thanks Incognito, that’s helpful analysis/advice. I do find it difficult to identify the (wider) motives/intentions of some authors/commenters here, and there could be all sorts of reasons for that.

                      Sometimes authors/commenters are difficult to 'pigeonhole' – they can present non-ideological, well-informed views, and show a willingness to consider and even adopt other points of view. And often I lack the intelligence, information and/or experience(s) needed to appreciate a particular post, comment or (point of) view.

                      Pigeonholing the more frequent commenters is convenient, although getting it wrong is embarrassing! I read what a particular commenter writes through their assigned ‘pigeonhole lens’ (it’s a crude lens: political affiliation, affiliation to other commenters (picking 'sides'), ideology/bugbears, commenting style, etc.) – over time the prescription of some lenses changes.

                      Not defending or recommending pigeonholing – it's a practical way for me to 'consume’/filter the quantity of writing on this blog. An interesting (chaotic?) experiment would be to remove 'commenter identifiers' for (say) one OM/DR a week. Waffling now; probably waffling from the start.

                      Btw, appreciate the good moderating ‘job’ you’re doing – well reasoned comments/appeals can really calm things down, but it must be trying at times.

                    • Incognito []
                      23 June 2019 at 9:04 pm

                      Very good comment, thank you! I’m in the same boat as you and often have to second-guess innuendo, meaning, intention, purpose, humour, etc., in comments and even in posts. I’d like to think it is not due to lack of intelligence but the way written language is used here to communicate 😉

                      Many topics are incredibly complex and/or sensitive too. Pigeonholing is a heuristic IMO and we all do it to some extent; it’s a mental shortcut with the drawbacks that shortcuts tend to have. The struggle is even worse when moderating and getting it wrong is worse than embarrassing but it needs to be done, sometimes …

                      BTW, I’ve had the exact same thought to remove user names by way of experiment to see if and how this would change discourse. Maybe I’ll suggest this in the back-end or I could do it on one of my own posts and turn on moderation from the outset and then after some time (a few days?) back-fill the original user names. I think it would be a fun experiment 🙂

                  • WeTheBleeple …
                    23 June 2019 at 6:43 am

                    Sounds like he hates babies and women.

                    [These accusations aimed at Ad are a vile personal attack. Lynn recently warned you to rein it in. Withdraw and apologise today or suffer the consequences of your appalling behaviour here – Incognito]

                    • Incognito …
                      23 June 2019 at 11:57 am

                      See my Moderation note @ 6:43 AM.

                    • WeTheBleeple …
                      23 June 2019 at 12:34 pm

                      No I will not withdraw it.

                      The words 'sounds like' are accurately descriptive of the feeling given by some of the posts.

                      In your words: When one makes a comment in good faith, with sarcasm, or to rattle a cage, for example, some commenters here choose to be detracted by their own thinking. I’d go as far as to say that the potential is almost always there waiting to be triggered.

                      I actually thought it was someone trolling, not Ad. Triggered me listening to rehashed kiwibog lines coming from him. Then my sarcasm triggered you.

                      Your interpretation that it is a 'vile personal attack' is incorrect.

                      Wave your stick about if you must.

                      [This is not about Ad but about your behaviour. You also crossed the line with RedLogix on Open mike 22/06/2019. You cross the line many times, and you were warned, only recently. In other words, you exhibit a pattern of behaviour and I seem to have missed the sarcasm tag, each and every time. In any case, there is only so much you can put behind a sarcasm tag before it becomes something more sinister.

                      I do not want to wave “my stick”. I want you to self-moderate and control your comments especially when they are “triggered”. The moderation note stands to the end of the day for you to reconsider your decision because I do act in good faith – Incognito]

                    • Incognito []
                      23 June 2019 at 12:56 pm

                      See my Moderation note @ 12:34 PM.

                    • WeTheBleeple …
                      23 June 2019 at 6:04 pm

                      'you exhibit a pattern of behaviour'

                      Yeah I do.

                      I argue with people who make despicable comments, and I get heated. Sometimes I say dumb shit. Sometimes I deliberately ruffle feathers to see if any fleas jump out. Sometimes I get things totally wrong.

                      And I apologise.

                      While people who don't get my context might call or accuse of me all sorts of things; or follow me round being smart asses with personal stuff they pick up – and apologies do not come. Those people include Mods. Hell I've banned myself so as not to respond OTT to Lyns abuse of others twice.

                      I hold this stuff against nobody except deliberate trolls, ughh.

                      I apologise to RL I certainly could have done better there.

                      But on principle I'm not apologising to Ad for a personal attack as there wasn't one. I'll apologise for an off comment that was a reply to an off comment.

                      Make what you will of that. We're all a bit frazzled we just came very close to another war amongst all the other madness. You can time me out if you think it'd help.

                      [Thank you. Acknowledging this is self-moderation, which is what I hoped to achieve. I’m still mightily unimpressed about what you said about Ad but progress has been made and I hope it will continue. You do make many good comments here so keep up the good work and leave the (personal) insults at the door please.

                      BTW, the only active Moderators currently are MickySavage, Lynn, and I and we all have limited spare time. We also moderate in different ways. Please remember that there are many more silent readers of the site than there are commenters and even fewer authors of whom Ad is one – Incognito]

                    • Incognito []
                      23 June 2019 at 6:39 pm

                      See my Moderation note @ 6:04 PM.

                    • WeTheBleeple …
                      23 June 2019 at 7:46 pm

                      That is fair. I just now realised I (think I) never kick up a ruckus in HTGT, maybe that's my safe space when my heads not on straight.

                      I need to take that same level of respect to the wider blog. It weirds me out now TBH, the variance is obvious.

                      Onward and upward.

                • patricia bremner …
                  22 June 2019 at 6:40 pm

                  Andrew offered to stand down. Finally caucus agreed just as he was considering fighting on. When told of the decision he nominated Jacinda.

                  Ad, nobody killed off anybody, even politically, as Jacinda appointed him to the front bench.

          • Kat 14.2.1.1.2
            22 June 2019 at 3:58 pm

            "A remarkable PM though.." That is exactly why a number of people just cannot handle that Jacinda Ardern has more than risen to the challenge of being Labour leader and has become a hugely popular PM, garnering international respect and prestige into the mix. Apparently she should have been making "hits" when she was an MP and now getting the whip out for a few of her ministers. Some people are just not worth bothering about, unfortunately they vote and unfortunately they make up about 40% of the electorate. And we wonder why this country struggles at times. Ignorance is not always bliss.

          • Ad 14.2.1.1.3
            22 June 2019 at 4:07 pm

            Popular Prime Minister who is remarkable for being popular, emoting at the right time, and having a baby.

            But leading a government that is changing absolutely fucking nothing.

            The only difference between Ardern and Key is that his children were already grown up when he came into politics.

            • WeTheBleeple 14.2.1.1.3.1
              22 June 2019 at 4:16 pm

              "absolutely fucking nothing"

              that's the weight of your opinion.

              • Ad …
                22 June 2019 at 4:59 pm

                Look across this country and give me a statistic that shows improvement.

                • WeTheBleeple …
                  22 June 2019 at 5:21 pm

                  No. You make the ridiculous statements, you back them up.

                  • New view …
                    22 June 2019 at 10:16 pm

                    No Ad doesn’t have to back it up because there is nothing too back up. JA is a good speaker has a great personality and done a great job carrying our flag but in my opinion she is a piss poor politician that promised the world when electioneering but has delivered bugger all. She has stood by a housing minister that should’ve been tipped out months ago and the pathetic back down over the capital gains tax showed she has no backbone for real Government but still likes to front it. A lot of comments here bag National but at least you know what you’re getting and they actually get on with it. The only thing you know about this Government in my opinion, is that they’ll do anything to stay in Power.

                    • WeTheBleeple …
                      22 June 2019 at 10:34 pm

                      What a lot of utter shite.

                      National sold assets, fancied themselves new flag bearers, picked on young girls, doxed public members, gave the mates contracts, cashed in the earthquake, ignored insurance claims…

                      Off the top of my head.

                      What's tragic is some people still believe they are capable of finding NZ on a map of NZ.

                    • New view []
                      23 June 2019 at 9:00 am

                      WTB. Yes National sells assets. They don’t say they don’t. Some people think that’s a good idea some people don’t. The rest of your comment is emotional clap trap

                    • ankerawshark …
                      22 June 2019 at 10:42 pm

                      New View. Twyford has overseen the build of 3000 State houses and I like around 60% of Kiwis believe Kiwibuild is a good idea too. Maybe you would if you were a first home buyer, seeing houses being snapped up by investors and or boomers.

                    • New view []
                      23 June 2019 at 9:54 am

                      Twyfords Kiwi Build deficit is 16500. You can talk up what’s been built Or talk down what was promised. It’s easy to promise unattainable targets to get elected. That’s my beef with this Government. If they thought they could build them they were naive and incompetent. If they new they could never meet the targets they are cynical and power hungry. It’s not good enough to say, but their hearts in the right place.

                • patricia bremner …
                  22 June 2019 at 6:55 pm

                  Ad what is your problem? Improvements Imports, income levels, NZ housing builds, parliamentary debates, world opinion, university rankings, trust that the Government will "rise to meet occasions and problems effectively" Maori Language, The future of Mental health and Railways looks to be in hand, plus the move from oil and natural gas to hydrogen , oh and gun control has begun, all started in under 20 months.A great Leader. Stats? You find those to disprove the list which is here!! Lol lol

                • ankerawshark …
                  22 June 2019 at 7:12 pm

                  Ad "astatistic that shows improvement"

                  Minimum wage increased twice,

                  Increase in salary for nurses and teachers.

                  600 (I think) extra sencos in schools

                  3000 state houses built ? Kiwibuild houses built

                  Best start for parents when they have a baby ? $60 a week

                  Energy payment up to around $700 per year for low income and beneficiaries.

                  these are just a few I can think of. But by all means Ad criticize. And do feel free to vote National. They did sweet f a. But really those are the two realistic options we have in NZ

                  • adam …
                    22 June 2019 at 8:37 pm

                    I could go through and pull apart what you wrote bit by bit – especially the housing issues.

                    But in reality ankerawshark that be pointless, because you won't address the underlying economic loonicy which this tinkering is doing sweet bugger all to fix.

                    This government is supporting, indeed wholly thrown its weight behind, a far right economic ideology. And whilst it does that, people lives will continue to be wreaked, families will be destroyed, and our society will slowly wither.

                    The economy needs to change, and without it changing – no amount of feel good projects are going to help.

                    • WeTheBleeple …
                      22 June 2019 at 10:40 pm

                      "economic loonicy "

                      loonicy like loonicy we've never seen before!

                      Helping the poor!

                      Kept mad Turks from our doors!

                      Drained the shit out of walls!

                      Has the world enthralled!

                      But some are still sore!

                      As she has no man balls!

                      Old irrelevant white men, whinging about a woman

                      Higher than they'll ever be, she's a real good'n.

                • ankerawshark …
                  22 June 2019 at 7:12 pm

                  Ad "astatistic that shows improvement"

                  Minimum wage increased twice,

                  Increase in salary for nurses and teachers.

                  600 (I think) extra sencos in schools

                  3000 state houses built ? Kiwibuild houses built

                  Best start for parents when they have a baby ? $60 a week

                  Energy payment up to around $700 per year for low income and beneficiaries.

                  these are just a few I can think of. But by all means Ad criticize. And do feel free to vote National. They did sweet f a. But really those are the two realistic options we have in NZ

                  • marty mars …
                    22 June 2019 at 9:50 pm

                    + 1 yep they are the facts which horrify the gnats… and ad

                    • cleangreen …
                      23 June 2019 at 9:34 am

                      Labour coalition are bringing back regional rail to get 'truck mania gridlock off our roads'

                      'Mr tarmac' (Joyce) is hating the thought of resurecting the 'peoples railway' that he attempted to totally destroy.

                • adam …
                  22 June 2019 at 8:16 pm

                  Well said Ad, glad you got touched by reality.

                  The problem is we are still firmly in the grip of far right economics.

                  And no amount of smiling, babies, an tinkering is going to help. We need solid change. Personally I'd like the centre left to catch on to this, but I won't hold my breath.

            • Dukeofurl 14.2.1.1.3.2
              22 June 2019 at 6:12 pm

              "his children were already grown up when he came into politics."

              They were still in primary school back in 2002…17 years ago

            • Ankerrawshark) 14.2.1.1.3.3
              22 June 2019 at 7:01 pm
              • Ad I couldn’t disagree more. Ardern manages her team well, she manages her coalition partners well and she fields the media perfectly……
              • she showed outstanding leadership after the Chch massacre. She managed to get cross party agreement over changing the gun laws (even Chris bishop praised her leadership when petition was presented to parliament. Then off to Paris to do what she could re FB live streaming such things.
              • the coalition is getting things done. If I hear one more person slam kiwi build I will scream. Now the only chance our kids could buy a house. They are paying outrageous amount for shitty accommodation currently.
              • oh and did I mention mental health, increases to the minimum wage, increases to WFF.
              • But Ad if you rather have National, that’s up to you
              • adam …
                22 June 2019 at 8:28 pm

                "Squirrel"

                Or more centre left b.s. coming from you Ankerrawshark). You get that politics is more than pretty little things?. It is the underlying economic and economic decisions which make people lives. We live in a country which is beholden to far right economic ideology. An ideology that is wreaking people lives, the fact that a left wing party is running with this bat shit crazy economic ideology is at the very least, heartbreaking.

                To play lesser of two evils card is a sad joke – that line of think gave us trump. You know people who are desperate vote for demagogues, NZLP know this too. I don't know why so many of the centre left think it is acceptable to carry on this situation of economic loonacy.

                • The Al1en …
                  22 June 2019 at 9:02 pm

                  All right, slogan boy, outline in a couple of paragraphs exactly what you'd locally do economically and socially, and internationally policy wise, paying specific attention to how you would persuade the 90% of current, so called neo lib voters to back your plans.

                  Prove you're more than the equivalent of a political tiny Tim of intellectual thinking.

                  • Charlie …
                    22 June 2019 at 9:41 pm

                    You won't get anything new other than "go left". It's all these dimwits like Ad, Adam, etc can chant, they have bugger all policy ideas and just throw rocks. Pissing on the tent is all they have to offer.

                    • The Al1en …
                      22 June 2019 at 10:03 pm

                      I agree. Unless there's policy ideas being put forward, then all there will ever be are slogans and insults, which, by the way, centre left isn't one. It's said like it's a bad thing.

                      What we don't need are people who rail against national governments, slagging off labour and the greens, and then go and vote for national's support partners at the election. That's just really silly, eh, TT?

                    • adam …
                      23 June 2019 at 3:36 pm

                      So Keynesian economics, ecological economics, or indeed any form that Social Democracy with a different economic structure is a step to far for you ah Charlie?

                      Feel free to carry on with the usual crap from the centre left on this site, personal abuse to make up for your lack of ability to think.

                  • adam …
                    23 June 2019 at 3:37 pm

                    Go do your right wing shrill thing somewhere else the al1en, you really are a low life tory scum bag.

                    • The Al1en …
                      23 June 2019 at 3:54 pm

                      So you refuse to provide a policy platform and competent analysis of how you'd sell it to the NZ public, then? Blimey, slogans and insults, who'd have guessed it? Clue, I did. lol

                      Again I'm no more a tory than you are a credible political commentator. Easy.

                      And it has to be said, because people may have better lives than you, made more of their talents, or achieved more in life than a chip on a shoulder, it doesn't make them scum, middle class or worthy of your desperate attacks. But you can't see that with all your negativity and hatred. Never mind, come your glorious revolution, you'll be all right then. 🙄

                    • adam …
                      23 June 2019 at 7:47 pm

                      Sorry you can't read, and you have no comprehension.

                      I'm not going to debate with a faux left wing asshole like you the al1en, because anyone who calls anyone a "crippled cunt" is a low life piece of tory shit. I thought that would be obvious to anyone with half a brain.

                      As for all the "boohoo/poor me crap" your peedling to make yourself feel better – It just tells me you have no grasp on the real world. Which is another reason why you need to f*&k off back to tory land, you sad sack of shit.

                    • The Al1en …
                      23 June 2019 at 7:58 pm

                      Well at least you pulled back on the racism this time and didn't tell me to go back home to the tory land I came from. That's a big improvement. I guess even the stupid ones are capable of learning the rules of the game.

                      It still doesn't change the fact that all you offer up are slogans and insults, and when you've been directly challenged to provide some sort of policy agenda to back up your views, the quite farcical understanding of NZ politics make you look like a broken, limp dick, trying to willy wave.

                      I'm quite capable of handling your brand of nasty, so I'll keep on asking, given how we're all supposed to be right wing/faux left/neo lib scum supporting this right wing/faux left/neo lib government, what are your policy ideas to make your rim clinging utopia come to pass? And how do you intend to convince the 90% of voters who you frame as scum to get on board?

                      It's a platform for you to shine. You don’t have to debate, just put the program out there in the real world we’re living in.

                    • adam …
                      23 June 2019 at 8:22 pm

                      Your a sad little man the al1en, with no comprehension skills, I see still just makes shit up.

                      Let me just reiterate – because you are so stupid you need to be told like a hundred times before you can understand.

                      Go do your right wing shrill thing somewhere else, you low life tory scum bag.

                      [You’re in fine form, Adam, but please take it down a few notches. Thanks – Incognito

                      What is wrong with this thread no. 14?]

                    • Incognito []
                      23 June 2019 at 9:20 pm

                      See my moderation note @ 8:22 PM.

                    • The Al1en …
                      23 June 2019 at 8:39 pm

                      I have seen the posts you've made since I just asked you to, so well done for that, even if not directly after my post.

                      The hate I see, and take in my stride. What you haven't done, though, is provide details. It all looks very much like more slogans with no meat on the bones. Lets see some flesh. Tell us how you're convincing the voters you call scum.

                • ankerawshark …
                  22 June 2019 at 10:25 pm

                  OK Adam, I hear your point of view about underlying economic ideology. And I don’t dispute that. Do you have any practical suggestions for a way forward with that?

                  Ad asked for any statistics that had changed under the coalition and I listed some. You may well think its centre left bullshit, but actually all I did was list facts. No one asked me for an ideological take on things.

                  I am a pragmatist. I get a vote every three years and its either a National lead or a Labour lead Govt. IMO nobody has presented a credible third option that would change that scenario. I also try to do other things that might improve the world as and where I can. I realise you may not approve of this or have a different view point of what needs to happen and I accept that.

                  I did everything within my power to get Labour voted in, because I believed and still do, that National were and remain scumbags, who don't give a shit about people.

                  I am not sure how you conclude that the lesser of two evils gave us Trump. I guess you might mean that if he had of made it through the primaries, Bernie Saunders would have beaten Trump. I am not sure we can ever know that. Maybe you have some information that supports a Saunders win.

                  • adam …
                    23 June 2019 at 8:06 pm

                    Yes, Social democratic ones.

                    Two quick changes to the economy, remove the reserve bank act for starters, and take us off dependance on a single commodity – as in milk – as quickly as possible.

                    Follow this up with a green new deal approach to the economy, somthing like the Green New Deal being talked about in the US.

                    https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/12/21/18144138/green-new-deal-alexandria-ocasio-cortez

                    Radical ideas, mass devolution within the economy and move it towards a parecon economy. Remove the trading banks – only have co-op banks. Shut down the stock market, and make it illegal to exploit individuals or groups for economic gain. Mutualism and Co-operative economic programmes given the opportunity to grow.

                    Alongside that I'd push Ecological Economics, try having a look at Tim Jackson here a download.

                    http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/data/files/publications/prosperity_without_growth_report.pdf

                    • The Al1en …
                      23 June 2019 at 8:45 pm

                      Social democracy isn't really that radical, and most labour people will identify with it, though you'll note it operates under liberalism and embraces capitalism, something you're very opinionated on, usually including the word scum. How do you reconcile the ideology you now aspire to with your usual words?

                      "a political, social and economic philosophy that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice within the framework of a liberal democratic polity and a capitalist mixed economy. The protocols and norms used to accomplish this involve a commitment to representative and participatory democracy, measures for income redistribution and regulation of the economy in the general interest and welfare state provisions. In this way, social democracy aims to create the conditions for capitalism to lead to greater democratic, egalitarian and solidaristic outcomes."

                    • adam …
                      23 June 2019 at 9:56 pm

                      Piss off the al1en, you tory hack – go troll someone else.

                    • The Al1en …
                      23 June 2019 at 10:07 pm

                      Whose trolling? I'm asking you to explain your obnoxious attitude towards people, like me, who are long term backers of social democratic politics, when it appears you're now advocating for the same thing, even though it's not radical nor way outside the long standing remit of centre left labour parties everywhere.

                      Why not cut the attitude, drop the insults and attempt to clarify your position?

                    • ankerawshark …
                      23 June 2019 at 10:09 pm

                      Ok thanks Adam. I appreciate your reply. and I will read the link (just had a quick look at it already).

                      Take care

                    • adam …
                      24 June 2019 at 2:43 pm

                      I've asked you to piss off the al1en, because you use violent threats and abuse.

                      Then if that fails you go the whole poor me routine.

                      Your faux leftism is sad.

                      [And I asked you nicely last night to take it down a few notches – Incognito]

                    • Incognito []
                      24 June 2019 at 2:49 pm

                      See my moderation note @ 2:43 PM.

                    • The Al1en …
                      24 June 2019 at 3:04 pm

                      You're boo hooing enough for all of us, mate. Very tedious.

                      I'd much prefer reading, now that you've finally found social democracy, how you intend to walk back on the insults to like minded centre left labour/green voters you've repeatedly called middle class scum. How do you reconcile that nasty generalising position when they believe in the same ideology you now profess to?

                    • adam …
                      25 June 2019 at 1:48 pm

                      Oh do bugger off the al1en you tory fuck.

                      You have never retracted your threats of violence, nor apologised for calling me a 'crippled cunt'

                      p.s because you actually lack any comprehension skills I'm not a social democrat – I'd just be happy if retards like you actually started acting like one, rather that the tory scum bags that you do act like.

                      [Third and last time I ask nicely for you to please drop the aggro against The Al1en and move past what’s in the past – Incognito]

                    • Incognito []
                      25 June 2019 at 2:21 pm

                      See my Moderation note @ 1:48 PM.

                    • The Al1en …
                      25 June 2019 at 2:00 pm

                      You still crying about me stating no matter how racist you were towards me, I'd never insult you in an equally appalling way by calling you a crippled cunt, for example? But then going on to call me a retard by way of an insult. 🙄

                      So about you now not being a social democrat but wanting the same things social democracy brings. What's that all about? You want the 'middle class scum' to do what they've already been doing for years? Okay.

                      By the way, you know social democrats and even socialists can be from all walks of life, from the working class to lords and ladies? Which brings about another question, what is the class system in NZ? Is it really about class or about income? I see many people with loads of money and no class whatsoever. Or is it just a slogan you throw about with all the others?

                • WeTheBleeple …
                  22 June 2019 at 10:43 pm

                  Conspiracy theorist much?

              • marty mars …
                22 June 2019 at 9:49 pm

                + 1 yep we are seeing change happening – nice list there thanks. We don't need the fake fair weather friends cos they are not friends at all just gnats.

                • adam …
                  23 June 2019 at 8:14 pm

                  You could try looking at the economy marty mars, and see that many of the systems that the last government used make life horrendous for many people, are still in place – ready to be exploited by them again.

                  If we do not fundamentally change in how we run the economy, what the hell is the point? Or is it just – 'ra ra' own team won, good fun partisan shit fuckery – your now a fan of.

                  • marty mars …
                    23 June 2019 at 8:57 pm

                    sure adam I know you think your brainy and have worked it all out but guess what? we already know… it's sorta old news… yes the economy blah blah blah – how about this buddy – try voting and being on the team that MAKES change rather than the one that just talks about it.

                    • adam …
                      23 June 2019 at 9:59 pm

                      As always you got nothing marty mars.

                      Well don't complain when the nats do their thing, if all you got is the same old same old.

                      By the way you may have noticed I don't say much on here these days, because I'm actually doing things to change our society for the better – rather than thinking that doing the same thing will produce a different result.

                    • marty mars …
                      23 June 2019 at 10:03 pm

                      good for you

            • marty mars 14.2.1.1.3.4
              22 June 2019 at 10:00 pm

              The only difference between Ardern and Key is that his children were already grown up when he came into politics.

              What a pathetic commentary for this blog – ffs the sooner we get into deeper leftie politics the sooner we will find the dags dropping off naturally.

        • Dukeofurl 14.2.1.2
          22 June 2019 at 6:09 pm

          English had said many times he didnt want to be PM/party leader again either

      • marty mars 14.2.2
        22 June 2019 at 9:46 pm

        + 1 exactly – seems a rewrite of herstory there – sad to see some supposedly labour people be so close to the gnat lines but not surprising from ad

        • Hanswurst 14.2.2.1
          23 June 2019 at 8:33 am

          Agreed. When Labour were in opposition, Ad was all incrementalist and sneered at any suggestion of seriously left-wing policies. Now labour is in government, and increments aren't enough.

          • adam 14.2.2.1.1
            23 June 2019 at 8:16 pm

            NZLP are not incremental at all.

            No fundamental economic changes have happened in a incremental way.

            • Hanswurst 14.2.2.1.1.1
              24 June 2019 at 12:25 am

              I actually agree with you. However, Ad's advocacy of incrementalism always seemed to be chiefly about governments needing to take the electorate with them in small steps, rather than about incrementally reinventing the economic wheel, and that was what I was referring to. There's a difference between stating one's own views and commenting on contradictions in what others have said.

          • greywarshark 14.2.2.1.2
            23 June 2019 at 8:42 pm

            Have you considered that it was the right line for that stage of the election-political cycle. But that now so many things have not gone forward, he is getting impatient. Change us all around us and taking a different line than a year or so ago is not the end of the world when it is a supporter. A politician might even find it necessary to change.

            • Hanswurst 14.2.2.1.2.1
              24 June 2019 at 12:19 am

              Have you considered that it was the right line for that stage of the election-political cycle.

              Yes. However, I've never seen him say as much, and what I would actually expect from someone who pushes the sort of (in the context of NZ since the 1980s) centre-right economic policy that Ad has for years, then turns around and sneers at a government doing more or less exactly what they had been demanding, is that they might put their hands up and admit that they were part of the problem, rather than constantly throwing out threadbare and contradictory arguments with an air of smug, detached superiority.

  15. Janice 15
    22 June 2019 at 2:44 pm

    JLR is not about to resign, so Botany by-election is not a goer. They will have to persuade someone like Nick or Jerry to resign (I can dream can't I), and parachute Luxton in there, to get him in before the next election.

  16. Incognito 16
    22 June 2019 at 4:10 pm

    Someone is trying to muddy test the waters.

  17. observer 17
    22 June 2019 at 5:52 pm

    A good summary here from the Spinoff website:

    https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-06-2019/the-curious-case-of-the-national2020-newspaper-ad-that-national-disavows/

    So, we know who placed it – not the official National party, but a rich right winger with an agenda. $20,000 is a lot of money to spend on undermining Simon Bridges, when he does it so well for free. Should have spent it on legal advice.

    • Dukeofurl 17.1
      22 June 2019 at 6:07 pm

      promoter statement is a Christchurch address …Luxton is from Christchurch before his corporate career took off.

      • observer 17.1.1
        22 June 2019 at 6:14 pm

        Stick to the known facts. Drawing ridiculously long bows is not necessary.

        We know who placed the ad.

    • WeTheBleeple 17.2
      22 June 2019 at 10:53 pm

      Theory: He's shitting himself his loan sharking days are numbered. He wants to be rid of Simon and get someone who he thinks might save the day for his greedy little grubbings. Spent 20K rather than dropped interest on his short term high interest loan sharking; cos a free rein draining the arteries of the poor is worth well more than 20K long term.

    • michelle 17.3
      25 June 2019 at 1:26 pm

      so the rich are getting upset are they so they start spending wads of cash so the spoilt little serve serving pricks of which we have many in our country can get there own way

  18. Paul Campbell 18
    22 June 2019 at 5:56 pm

    I dunno, looks like Muldoon to me

  19. observer 19
    22 June 2019 at 6:16 pm

    Media interest: lead story on TV3, closely followed by TV1.

    The Nats will be spewing. With friends like these, who needs enemies?

  20. SPC 20
    22 June 2019 at 6:21 pm

    A spokesperson for National says they will be taking no action.

    Must come under the cover of "pretty legal", done by someone with money, has low standards and who supports National …

  21. AB 21
    22 June 2019 at 7:24 pm

    Luxon would be worse than Bridges. The delivery would be more fluent but the content inferior – burble burble business bollocks burble burble kiwis burble business bollocks dynamic burble bollocks economy business bollocks. Guys like this should be three a penny but are paid way more than they are worth.

    "I prefer the company of peasants because they have not been educated sufficiently to reason incorrectly" (Montaigne)

  22. ankerawshark 22
    22 June 2019 at 10:33 pm

    AB …..love it

  23. Formerly Ross 23
    23 June 2019 at 6:47 am

    The advert is a take-off of Dick Frizzell's "Mickey to Tiki". It's sort of appropriate as I always thought John Key was Mickey Mouse.

    https://www.prints.co.nz/page/fine-art/PROD/8217

  24. ankerawshark 24
    23 June 2019 at 9:02 am

    Formerly Ross, yes National and their supporters don't seem to mind copying others with no respect for copy right. I guess they will say this rip off of Frizzel is pretty legal

  25. cleangreen 25
    23 June 2019 at 9:37 am

    "National Party are a toxic pool of sharks".

  26. Stuff the Politicians 26
    23 June 2019 at 9:43 am

    Key is in trouble over the Hisco saga, so now he is trying to divert attention away from that by bringing up the bloody flag issue again.

    A real devious bastard, he is.

  27. JustMe 27
    23 June 2019 at 12:25 pm

    If New Zealanders are stupid enough to vote for Luxon or any other National MP then will that mean John Key may get his way with a flag change?

    Meaning Key recently indicated if he was still part time prime minister of New Zilland he would have made the flag change himself and to Hell with the democratic process of letting the NZ Public have a say.

    Luxon comes across as a John Key supporter. He(Luxon)will obey his Dearest Leader John Key and if Key said "I want the flag changed and I don't care what the public think" Luxon will merely reply "Seig Heil Mein Fuhrer".

    If Key tells Luxon that he wants GST increased will Luxon again meekly obey?

    And so we will have it in that from a distance Key will deem himself as an absolute leader(dictator)and Luxon will be the face of National. Gawd that is enough to make one cringe at the thought.

    • greywarshark 27.1
      23 June 2019 at 8:47 pm

      That's an uncomfortable thought JustMe. The leader who won't lie down and stay down is awkward .

  28. Ffloyd 28
    23 June 2019 at 2:44 pm

    Wouldn't there be a copyright on that image? Plagiarism at its finest.

  29. soddenleaf 29
    24 June 2019 at 4:09 pm

    Luxon is irrelevant, Key was such a dishonest lazy lousy PM that he needs to be framed as a authority by his PR people. Maybe allegedly as part of his Luxons exit package. Tax switch was a hand out for wealthy people, it was the height of lying to say it was balanced.

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    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

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